Turkey-led forces have attacked the areas of Ziwan, Baliya and Jalamah in the area of Afrin as it appears that Ankara has launched the first stage of its widely announced operation against Kurdish militias [YPG/YPJ/PKK] in northwestern Syria.
Turkey-backed terrorists are attacking Ziwan village, heavy clashes between Cephet Ekrad, Jaysh al-Suwar and #FSA terrorists. Two terrorists were killed as the attack was retaliated. #YPG #YPJ #Rojava #Afrin #TwitterKurds
— Rojava Defense Units | YPG (@DefenseUnits) 19 January 2018
The YPG media wing even claimed that the Turkish Army attempted to cross the Syrian-Turkish border and to enter Afrin. However, Kurdish forces repelled the attack.
Occupying Turkish army attempted to enter #Afrin with armored vehicles in Bilbilê disrict,19:30 #Rojava time, #YPG #YPJ stopped them.
— Rojava Defense Units | YPG (@DefenseUnits) 19 January 2018
Meanwhile, pro-Turkish sources reported that the Turkish Air Force’s warplanes eneterd Syria airspace. However, these reports still have to be confirmed. No Turkish airstrikes were confirmed in Afrin area.
